is my fear of atripla justified?

[walkingpoz]

I'm going to start treatment in a few days and I have had a hard time deciding whether to start Isentress+Truvada or Atripla. I would love to start a one-pill regimen (Complera is not an option due to my high viral load and the fact that it has to be taken with food) but from what I've heard about Atripla's side effects I'm not sure if that's a good idea. It seems that many people have to get off Atripla due to side effects. Do you think it's worth a try or should I go for the Isentress+Truvada? Do I limit my options for second-line treatment if I choose one over the other? And would a switch to the Quad pill be safer with Isentress being an Integrase Inhibitor too? Thanks

[Miss Philicia]

No, you don't limit you options for a second treatment by choosing one over the other. There's also nothing that would prevent you from switching to the quad pill once it is FDA approved.

Otherwise, yes it's possible to get side effects from Atripla. If you do then switch to the other option.

It's a good rule of thumb to try and tough out any side effects for the first 3-4 weeks because they will generally fade away.

[buginme2]

I would love to start a one-pill  It seems that many people have to get off Atripla due to side effects.

I believe (could be wrong) but from what I remember less than 10% of people switch off Atripla due to side effects.  That means 90% of people are doing just fine on it.  I think it's possible your fear of Atripla is probably much worse than your actual experience may be.

Regardless, either T/I or Atripla are both recommended first line treatments.  Both area great, and neither will preclude you to switching to something else if they don't work out or to the Quad when it's avail etc.

I agree with P also, whichever you choose, give it a good month to get used to it.  I will attest, those first few days on Atripla can be, well, trippy.

[PozBrian]

I am (as of tonight) switching from Atripla to Issentress and Truvada. I've been taking Atripla since about 6 weeks after diagnosis. I had some initial "adjustments" to Atripla that lasted less then a week. I have over the course of the last three years developed a quicker temper, and minor depression. It has been enough of a question for me over the last 9 months or so that I'm switching. It was a tough decision for me because I really like having only to take one pill. Now it's going to be three.

Is your fear of atripla justified? Hard to say. I'm finding there are lots of variables that go into a decision about what meds to take. I was blissfully unaware of what Atripla side affects might be like other than what my DR told me. She also said to give it at least 4 weeks, unless certain specific things showed up. I didn't have any obvious issues after the first few days.

My laymans advice would be to give it a go. You might want to wait to take that first pill on a Friday or another day when you don't have responsibilities early the next morning. I felt pretty "stoned" after taking Atripla the first few times. But as I said that lasted only a few days.

Remember too that meds today are vastly superior when compared to the early meds. So while Atripla has side affects that might not be so great, at it's worst it's better than what was. Just ask a LTS who was on meds in the early days. I'm not an LTS (though I hope to be) I was involved in HIV awareness training in the early 90's and knew several people that had problems with the meds.

[Stlguy1976]

I have been on Atripla since Nov 11 and so far handling it pretty well.  About the first week I experienced a little foggyness but that went away.  I have also had some insomnia as well as a little anxiety, however I think some of both of these was more from me just being worried about my health.  I was also a heavy pot smoker which my have aided in the axiety but have quit the last week or so and that has helped.  Overall I am feeling really great and back to normal since starting Atripla.  My CD4 count jumped 190 pts in the first 6 weeks.  For me side effects have been minimal and more so in that first week but now its just a pill I take every night and it does not really affect me much. 

Like the other guys here have said its hard to say how it will affect you until you take it and there are other options.  I do agree with PozBrian and try to start when you dont have any committments for a few days.  It did knock me on my ass the first few days. 

Good Luck!

Steve

[walkingpoz]

Thank you guys for your comments and advice.

Ok, so yesterday I started Isentress & Truvada and so far haven't experienced a single side effect.  I hope it was the right decision and that having to take 3 pills a day at two different times is not going to be a problem for me.

Even during the doctor's appointment I wasn't sure whether to choose Atripla or the Isentress combo, but after all the research i have done, Isentress seemed to be the better choice for me.